Outright Libertarians is an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other self-identified "queer" (LGBTQ) Libertarian Party activists and supporters. We welcome anyone who believes in individual liberty and personal responsibility, and who wishes to actively promote Libertarianism to all those who love differently.

As lone LP Activists, most of us had to be satisfied with being the lone libertarian voice in gay community meetings, in letters to the editor, and sometimes the lone gay voice in LP meetings where subjects that affect us were discussed. Outright provides a way to identify GLBT and straight LP allies, it provides systems of help when dealing with the political powers that be in our community, and it provides encouragement and camaraderie that can help keep burn-out at bay.

- I'm a straight libertarian, what does Outright have for me?

At least 10% of all adults are homosexual, bisexual, transgendered or are straight but their sexual activities place them outside of what is considered "normal". Chances are very good that if you don't fall into one of these categories yourself, that you have friends and family who do. Outright is here as a resource to you, to help you identify the issues important to people in these communities and to help you reach out to them as a libertarian. If reaching out beyond family and friends in the cause of liberty to people who love differently is something you want to do, you too have a home at Outright.

- I'm a Libertarian Party candidate, what can Outright do for me and my campaign?

We can advise you on how libertarian principles apply to issues of importance to the GLBT communities and how best to present the libertarian message to our community. We can advise you on how to interact with the liberal Gay Press and if we have a chapter or member/activists near you, we may even be able to set up interviews for you.

- I agree with the LP on all but two issues, am I a Libertarian?

It would depend on what the two issues are and how important they each are to you. If one of the two issues is the "Non-Initiation of Force" principle (i.e. you prefer the US to strike its enemies down BEFORE they actually do something against us) then you are probably not a libertarian. If you disagree with us about some lesser issue but that issue happens to be a pivotal issue for you, then you probably won't want to vote for very many libertarian candidates. But consider this; if you only disagreed with the Democratic Party on two issues, would you hesitate to call yourself a Democrat?

- I like LP candidates but I don't want to waste my vote. Why should I vote Libertarian?

Exercising your right to vote is NEVER a waste, regardless of who you cast your ballot for. Many of us got tired of voting for evil by voting for the lesser evil and started voting our conscience. We agreed with the libertarians most often, so we started voting for their candidates. And because it takes fewer libertarian votes to make an impression on a winning major party candidate, it could be said that a libertarian vote counts for more.

Many of our members are also members of the Libertarian Party and we require our Officers to maintain LP membership, but other than this we have no direct link with the party. We are an activists' organization that promotes the party and its candidates, but we are a separate organization.

- Does Outright's positions on "gay issues" differ from the Libertarian Party?

In substance, no. Currently, every one of our positions are consistent with libertarian principle and the Libertarian Party Platform (Neither Log Cabin Republicans nor even Stonewall Democrats can say this). However, we and the LP do sometimes disagree on the approach.

For example: The LP takes a hard line on Hate Crimes Legislation, as legalized discrimination against the victims of some violent crimes in favor of others. Outright opposes Hate Crimes Legislation but understands, sometimes first hand, why it is so popular and seeks to show GLBT people that the legislation is not only discriminatory but flawed even when it actually includes us! The LP's approach is often hard hitting and direct to the central issue. Outright's approach is more understanding, we are more willing to explain the failings of government solutions and to show how some things that look good for us on the surface may actually work against us. But one thing to keep in mind: the national LP has never taken a negative stance on the inclusion of GLBT individuals in any legislation that secures equal rights for GLBT people, whether marriage, military service, taxation, etc.

- How can you claim that the LP is a good party for gay people when it is against Affirmative Action and Hate Crimes Legislation?

The Libertarian Party's problem with both of these issues, is the fact that both seek to cure discrimination among the citizens of the US with government discrimination backed by the force and might of government employees with guns. Libertarians have no problem with the goals of either Affirmative Action or Hate Crimes Legislation, but their implementation causes more problems than they solve.

There is no question that both of these issues carry with it an overabundance of emotions on all sides. But the attitudes and emotionalism behind the push for Hate Crimes Legislation and Affirmative Action only serves to degrade Anti-Bigotry to the point of becoming its own kind of Bigotry (a "I'm bigoted against bigoted people" mentality). Political opportunists in and out of our community are quick to take advantage of this form of Bigotry. As intelligent, rational people, we should not fall for such tricks.

- Why is the LP and Outright against government funding of AIDS research and service agencies?

The answer to this is very closely tied to the fact of government over-taxation and of government bureaucratic waste. FACT: Any time middle-men are added into any transaction, prices go up. The more middle-men involved the higher prices go. FACT: According to the government's own GAO reports between 60% and 80% of every dollar given to ANY department or agency of the federal government goes to pay for its overhead, salaries, and all the other expenses of its existence. Only an average of about 30% of each dollar actually gets used for the purpose stated. FACT: We are a generous community. It has been proven time and time again that we give to projects and causes we are concerned about.

Think about this: If you want to give one dollar to AIDS research, which way is better? OR, which way benefits the research more? 1 - through taxation -- only 20 or 40 cents goes to fund research after the government takes its cut. 2 - through United Way -- about 60 cents goes to fund research after UW and the middleman charity takes their cuts. 3 - through a charity funding research -- about 80 cents goes to the research. 4 - directly to the research institution -- close to 100 percent goes to fund research. No One Wastes More than the federal government!

By-Laws Outright Libertarians USA Article One MISSION STATEMENT As Outright Libertarians, we serve as a two-way bridge between the Libertarian Party and those citizens with differing sexual orientations. Through activism and outreach we find free-thinking individuals in the "gay community" and introduce them to the Libertarian Party. By being active within the Libertarian Party, we work to keep the party lifestyle inclusive. And we work with the Libertarian Party to protect our individual freedoms and demand the equal Rights and Responsibilities guaranteed to all persons under our U.S. Constitution. Article Two MEMBERSHIP Section I. Requirements: A. Membership in Outright Libertarians shall be open to any individual who: 1. Subscribes to Libertarian Principles, and Advocates the objectives of the libertarian movement; 2. Submits an application; and 3. Pays such dues as may be required. B. A member recruited by any Chapter, is automatically a member of the national organization upon submission of a copy of the new member's application information to the national office of Outright Libertarians, this submission should occur within 30 days. C. Chapters may have additional membership requirements other than those listed here as long as they are compatible with the national organization's By-Laws. D. Outright Libertarians may not release or sell members’ names or contact information with any person or any organization outside of Outright without the member’s expressed consent. Section II. Membership Support Levels, Benefits, and DuesB. Benefits of Membership1. All members in good standing will enjoy full voting and participation rights, including the right to vote in all local and national Outright Libertarian member meetings, and to run for an organizational Office at the local and/or national level. Chartered Chapters are required to maintain a database of all its members and report changes and updated information regularly to the national organization.2. Any member of Outright Libertarians may choose to join a single local chapter regardless of geographic location, and may at any time transfer that membership to any other local chapter of their choice, contingent on the new chapter’s agreement. A member may be a member of only one local chapter at any time. C. Sharing of Dues and Donations 1. All Donations and Fees made to the local chapter or to the national organization will be retained by the chapter or the national organization to which the donation was made; no sharing will be required, unless stated otherwise herein.2. Because Basic Membership is free, the national organization or any chapter thereof may not charge a Basic Member for maintaining his or her membership; but donations may be solicited. 3. Chartered Chapters are required to keep their membership rolls updated with the national organization. If a fully Chartered Chapter in good standing recruits a new member at the Sustaining level, convinces a Basic member to upgrade to Sustaining membership, or secures the renewal of a Sustaining member they may retain all but $10.00 of the fee, if payment is made to the Chartered Chapter. The chapter must send the $10.00 and the new or updated member information to the national organization within 30 days. If payment is made to the national organization directly or electronically, the national organization will retain the entire payment.4. A Founders Club level application for membership whether recruited at the local or national level of Outright Libertarians is a national level membership, and donations must be made directly to the national office via any means the national organization can receive donations. When a Founders Club applicant names a Chapter in his or her application as encouraging that person to become a Founders Club member, a finder’s fee will be awarded to that local chapter in the amount of 30% of the donation. D. A Chartered Chapter may have other levels of support/membership not named here and may set their own surcharges or fees, but they will all be considered Sustaining Memberships by the national organization and requiring $10.00 of the fee to be passed on to the national organization. Section III. Suspension and Expulsion: A. The Executive Committee may, by a two-thirds vote and upon written notice, suspend or expel any member who consistently acts to harm the public reputation of Outright Libertarians or publicly abuses the name "Outright Libertarians" in support of any policy, position, or objective which, in the opinion of the Committee is contrary to the position of Outright Libertarians. Written notice shall set forth in detail the nature of the statement made or act committed. The accused shall have the right to equal time before the Executive Committee at the meeting during which the vote on the suspension or expulsion is taken, to present any evidence, witnesses, or arguments relevant to her/his case. 1. Upon expulsion, the member has sixty (60) days to appeal the decision and to cooperate in the selection of an arbitration panel which shall be selected under the provisions of ARTICLE II, SECTION IV. If the expelled member fails to appeal, fails to cooperate in the selection of the arbitration panel, or if the arbitration panel upholds the reasons for expulsion, the expulsion becomes permanent. 2. During a period of suspension or during an appeal the member may not vote, run for office in Outright, or publicly use the name "Outright Libertarians" in any context. IV. Arbitration A. Any member who has been expelled may appeal the decision and request an arbitration panel be convened. B. The arbitration panel shall consist of three members in good standing of Outright Libertarians, one of whom is selected by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, one by the appellant, and one by mutual agreement. C. The arbitration panel shall be appointed no later than thirty (30) days following the receipt by the Executive Committee of the appellant’s written notice of intent to appeal. Should the appellant and the Executive Committee fail to agree on a third member, the two members selected shall decide the case, but a split decision will be considered a decision in favor of the expulsion. D. The arbitration panel shall adopt for itself any rules of procedure that it believes will ensure a fair and speedy disposition of the case provided that all procedural rules are accepted by the unanimous consent of the panel. E. The final disposition of the case shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the panel who must vote Yea or Nay, to uphold the expulsion or overturn it, no abstentions allowed, and the decision of the panel will be binding on all parties. If a panel member insists on abstaining or refuses to vote, then that panel member’s vote will be counted as in favor of the expulsion.F. Any costs that may be involved will be split equally by the appellant and Outright Libertarians and will be payable when incurred, or the finding of the panel may be withheld until the appellant pays his or her half. Non-payment of an appellant’s half of the costs will result in an automatic voiding of the panel’s decision and the expulsion will be upheld.Article Three OFFICERS I. Titles A. The Executive Officers shall consist of the following: 1. Chairman 2. Vice Chairman 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer II. Duties A. Chair: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of Outright Libertarians and perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of Chair. B. Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall perform all duties of the Chair in the event of the Chair's absence or resignation and any other duties delegated by the Chair. C. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of Outright Libertarians. At each such meeting, the Secretary shall present the minutes of the previous meeting for approval. The Secretary shall also keep an accurate and complete record of the membership and archive a copy of all official documents and publications. These auxiliary duties may be delegated to appropriate committee chairs who will report to the Secretary. In the event of a Roll Call Vote, the Secretary shall call the roll of members in good standing and keep an accurate record of the vote. D. Treasurer: The treasurer shall receive, and give receipts for, all funds paid to Outright Libertarians, keep an accurate record of such, and deposit same in such bank as shall be designated by the Executive Committee of Outright Libertarians. Expenditure of funds by the Treasurer shall be made only in accordance with the instructions of the Executive Committee. And the Treasurer shall report at each meeting of the Executive Committee of Outright Libertarians or at any other time as may be required. III. Election of Officers A. Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of Outright Libertarians. Nominations for Executive Officers shall be from the floor. All nominees must be members in good standing of their state or the national Libertarian Party. IV. Vacancy A. In the event of the vacancy of an elected office, the Executive Committee may select a Outright Libertarian member to fill such a vacancy until the next regular election of that position. V. Meetings A. It shall be the duty of the Officers of the national organization to call meetings as necessary and good for the organization. Meeting types:1. Officer Meetings: These meetings when called by the Chair may be open or closed at the discretion of the Chair. No official business or voting should occur in this type of meeting, decisions about procedural and personal matters should be reached by consensus. Only results and/or recommendations for action arising out of any Officer Meeting should be reported to the full Executive Committee. 2. Executive Committee Meetings: These meetings conduct the timely business of Outright Libertarians USA and may be open to members who may speak to items on the meeting agenda. Only Executive Committee members and Officers may vote in these meetings. Decisions reached via E-mail will be considered part of and recorded in the minutes of the next official Executive Committee Meeting. All major decisions reached in Executive Committee Meetings will be reported to the membership at the next General Conference.3. General Conference Meetings: There shall be at least one General Conference meeting called every two years or as often as needed for the election of national Officers, to consider By-Laws Change Proposals, and to conduct any other necessary business of the Outright Libertarians Membership. At least fourteen (14) days notice must be given to the membership and if By-Laws Change Proposals are to be considered, they will be handled per Article VII, Section I.4. Special Meetings of the Membership may be called by any Officer with the support of a simple majority of the Executive Committee provided sufficient notice is given to the membership that includes the date, time, place, and reason(s) for the Special Meeting. B. Any meeting may be held at a physical location, by any electronic means, or a combination thereof at the discretion of the Chair provided that the means allows members a reasonable opportunity to speak and provides an accurate method of voting if applicable. The Secretary, or appointee, shall keep Minutes of each meeting regardless of type or how it occurs.C.All voting conducted as part of any meeting whether conducted electronically and/or physically, by voice, ballot, or show of hands, will be decided by a majority vote of those participating and voting, or by the voting ratio specified elsewhere in these By-Laws for the type of vote of those participating and voting. Anyone who does not cast a vote of Yea, Nay, or Abstain will not be recorded, and Abstentions will not count toward the calculation of a majority except in votes taken under Article Seven of these By-Laws.Article Four: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE I. Members of the Committee A. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers described in Article III and one (1) State Coordinator / Representative from each state. II. Duties A. The Executive offices of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer shall perform administrative tasks as previously stated in Article III. B. The State Coordinator / Representatives shall aid and assist the Executive Officers and shall coordinate and facilitate Outright Libertarian activities which shall include helping to start and encouraging the growth of chapters in his or her state. III. Vacancy A. In the event of the vacancy of an State Coordinator / Representative , the Executive Committee may select by a simple majority vote an Outright Libertarian member in that state to fill such a vacancy until the next regular election of that position. IV. Meetings A. All meetings of Outright Libertarians will be handled in accordance with Article III, Section V of these By-Laws.V. Elections A. State Coordinator / Representatives shall be elected at or before the annual business meeting of Outright Libertarians by the members in each state and will take office at the end of that meeting. All candidates for these positions must be members in good standing of Outright Libertarians and their state or the national Libertarian Party. B. If the membership of any state fails to elect a State Coordinator / Representative for any reason, or if a State Coordinator / Representative resigns or for any reason fails to complete his or her term, the national Executive Committee may at its discretion appoint someone to that post for the remainder of the current term. C. Because we hold Leaders in Outright Libertarians to a higher standard, any Executive Committee member may be Suspended or Removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the national Executive Committee OR by two-thirds of the membership at a regular or duly called meeting of the membership. An Executive Committee member under a Motion to Suspend or Remove along with any members wishing to speak on their behalf, must be offered equal-time to speak against the motion. But, the person subject to a Motion to Suspend or a Motion to Remove may not participate in the final voting on that motion. 1. At least one of the following reasons must be stated and supported in any motion to suspend or remove: a. Abuse of Power or Permissions.b. Conflict of interest. c. Abdication - Effectively abdicating his or her office by doing nothing of substance in major areas of responsibility.2. Only when (a) or (b) above is listed as a reason in a Motion to Remove may revocation of membership in Outright Libertarians be considered at the same time.3. A Motion to Suspend must state the length of suspension. It will begin immediately after the vote and last not less than one month or more than half the term of office. A Motion to Remove, upon passage is immediate and permanent. 4. Any Executive Committee member for which a motion to Suspend has passed must cease all activity and communications of that position for the stated period of time starting at the conclusion of the vote, and then the Chair may appoint someone to temporarily fill the position. Any Executive Committee member still under suspension when an election is held may not run for office in that election.5. Any open Executive Committee position shall be filled in accordance with Article IV, Section III.VI. Vote of No Confidence A. A vote of No Confidence may be taken for any Executive Committee member with a vote of two thirds of the Executive Committee present and voting OR by a simple majority of the membership present and voting at a regular or properly called meeting of the membership. The Executive Committee member for which the vote of No Confidence is called must be offered equal-time to explain his or her action(s) but may not participate in the final vote.B. Any Officer or Representative for which a vote of No Confidence has passed must step down from that office at the conclusion of the vote and the position filled in accordance with Article IV, Section III. Article Five: CHARTERED CHAPTERS Section I. Chartered ChaptersA. The Executive Committee of Outright Libertarians USA may create provisional chapters and may fully Charter chapters of Outright Libertarians to serve cities, whole metropolitan areas, regions within states, and may even designate service areas that cross state lines at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Section II. Initiation: A. Provisional Chapter Status: Upon receipt of a request to start a new chapter in writing, which shall include E-Mail, by any member(s) in good standing, the Chair with a consensus of the Executive Committee may grant provisional chapter status to the member(s) to operate until the requirements in paragraphs B and C below are fulfilled. 1. This provisional chapter may use the Outright Libertarian name and logo in its promotions or when commenting publicly on local or state issues. 2 This provisional status will be reviewed at or just before the one year anniversary of the original request and may be extended or revoked at the Executive Committee's discretion if not yet upgraded to a fully chartered status. 3. Three (3) Members or more wishing to start a new chapter may choose to bypass provisional status and directly apply for a full Chapter Charter as per Subsections B and C below. B. Full Chapter Charter: The petitioners for full Chartered Chapter status must adopt a set of By-laws, and submit same to the Executive Committee along with their petition; Chapter By-laws must not conflict with the national By-Laws and must contain: 1. The Outright Libertarian Mission Statement2. Membership requirements, and a provision for calling at least one official members meeting per year3. Procedures for amending the By-laws4. Procedures for voting on Chapter issues and electing OfficersC. The petitioners, three (3) or more local members, seeking a charter must comply with and make a statement of the following in their petition: 1. All Chapter Leaders must be current members of the Libertarian Party on the state or national level and must agree to maintain an LP membership while in office. 2. Petitioners must all currently reside within the city or defined area to be covered by the charter. 3. Petitioners must suggest an Official Name for their chapter that states the area it will serve. While any chapter may refer to themselves locally in any way they choose that includes the word “Outright”, the national organization will choose the chapter’s Official Name and will always refer to the chapter by that name.D. Upon completion of paragraphs B and C above, the Executive Committee will consider the information submitted and vote by a simple majority of the Executive Committee whether or not to approve the Petition and issue a full Chapter Charter. Section III. Application of the Mission Statement The Outright Libertarian Mission Statement is the foundation of who and what we are as an organization. Whatever is built on that foundation should honor the original vision of the founders of Outright Libertarians.A. Chartered Chapters may determine for themselves their local implementation of the Outright Libertarians Mission Statement, and if they choose, write their own Purpose Statement if it does not conflict with the Outright Libertarians Mission Statement. B.The Outright Libertarians national Executive Committee reserves the authority to determine if chapter implementation of the Outright Libertarians Mission Statement and/ or a separate Chapter Purpose Statement is in accord with the original vision expressed in the Outright Libertarians Mission Statement.Article Six ENDORSEMENTS I. Endorsement or Condemnation Of Candidates for Public Office

A. Election of persons to office:

1. In order for the national organization of Outright Libertarians to formally endorse or condemn a candidate for political office the national Executive Committee will open nominations from the membership at or before the Annual Business Meeting/Convention in any election year and may also consider nominations generated within the national Executive Committee and within local chapters.

2. The national Executive Committee shall research and review the qualifications and political position of any candidate seeking office and shall consider the expressed opinions of the membership.

3. Candidate Nominees who are running as Libertarians shall be considered first for endorsement.

4. The final decision for national Outright Libertarian endorsements and condemnation of any and all candidates nominated shall be determined by a consensus of the national Executive Committee no less than 30 days prior to the election for each candidate. In the absence of a clear consensus, the current standard operating procedure for Executive Committee voting shall apply.

II. Endorsement or Condemnation of Ballot Issues

A. Ballot Initiatives or Propositions, Constitutional Amendments, or any public issue that will or may in the future come before voters:

1. In order for the national organization of Outright Libertarians to formally endorse or condemn a ballot issue the national Executive Committee will open nominations from the membership at or before the Annual Business Meeting/Convention in any election year and may also consider nominations generated within the national Executive Committee and within local chapters.

2. The national Executive Committee shall research and review the issue for congruence with Libertarian principles and ideals and shall consider the expressed opinions of the membership.

3. The final decision for national Outright Libertarian endorsements and condemnation of any and all ballot issues shall be determined by a consensus of the national Executive Committee no less than 30 days prior to the election in which the ballot issue will appear. In the absence of a clear consensus, the current standard operating procedure for Executive Committee voting shall apply.

III. Exclusions

A. This article is not intended to exclude or prohibit the national Executive Committee from appointing a sub-committee to handle the execution of any task or tasks outlined in this Article Six. But the decision to endorse or condemn any candidate, ballot issue, or any other public issue is solely the responsibility of the national Executive Committee.

B. This article is not intended to exclude or prohibit any Outright Libertarian member, local officer, local chapter, or any member or officer of the Executive Committee from publicly stating personal opinions or talking to the press on the Endorsements or Condemnations discussed in Sections I and II above, or issues including, but not limited to:

1. Current Events

2. Pending legislation before any legislative body within its jurisdiction.

3. Court Decisions

4. Practices of private businesses or public bureaucracies.

The Outright Libertarian member, local officer, local chapter, or member or officer of the Executive Committee making any public statement may identify their true and current connection to Outright Libertarians and must clearly state that what they say belongs to them alone and is not necessarily the opinion or position of Outright Libertarians (they must use the current, proper name of the national organization in any such statement).

Article Seven: CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS I. These By-Laws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present and voting at an annual business meeting when proposed By-Laws changes or amendments are announced no less than 30 days prior to the meeting. The Membership of Outright Libertarians must be officially notified of By-Laws changes or amendments in writing, by E-mail or first class mail that is sent or U.S. postmarked not less that twenty-one (21) days prior to the annual business meeting. II. Corrections in grammar or spelling needed in these By-Laws or minimal changes necessary to comply with the law may be made by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee at any Executive Committee meeting. Such changes must be reported to the membership in the next annual business meeting and must be ratified by that body. Changes not ratified will not become a permanent part of these By-Laws. III. EXCLUSIONS. Any article dealing with the Mission, Principles or Objectives of Outright Libertarians and this Article VII, "Changes or Amendments" are hereby excluded from the two-thirds majority vote rule in section one above. To change or amend these articles, a seven-eights (7/8) majority vote is required, all other rules in section one will apply.